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Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 13, 2016 1:00 AM
by bkbimmer
What did you use to cut all of the steel?

Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 13, 2016 1:19 AM
by tig
bkbimmer wrote:What did you use to cut all of the steel?
Since I needed to cut the 6x1/2" stuff, I begged my wife for an early Christmas present. She got me this:

https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW872-14- ... =ceklog-20
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Which is kinda like cheating. The cuts are not as clean as the Hemsaw, but in retrospect, it's what I should have bought first.

I'll use the Hemsaw for detailed stuff. For quick cuts on big stuff the Dewalt will be my go-to. Until I get a plasma cutter, of course :-()

Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 13, 2016 1:30 AM
by bkbimmer
Nice, I had to look up hemsaw, I had never heard that before.

I've always wanted a cold saw.

Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 26, 2016 6:28 PM
by tig
I have officially completed my first real welding project. The welding table is DONE.

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Some of my welds are actually respectable too.
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I actually went in today and cut out a few welds that I butchered. In one case it was a totally cold weld that looked like lava. I now have the hang of it.

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I bought two trailer hitch receivers for mounting tools, like my new vise. At McMaster Carr they sell these trick adjuster handles. Please don't laugh at my welds on the nuts. Not pretty, but I'm pretty sure they'll hold ;-)

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Kinda fun building a mount for the Rigid vise my son got me for Christmas. You could say it was the first welding project I completed using the new welding table! I need to get some 1/2" bolts; the ones you see here are temporary.
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Glorious!
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Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 26, 2016 6:47 PM
by bkbimmer
Very nice, you do nice work. I'll be asking for your opinion on fabrication before you know it. I'm getting out of car building so let me know if you want me to send you referrals.

Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 29, 2016 12:34 PM
by leadphut
Nice job! :up:

Re: I weld

Posted: Dec 30, 2016 8:24 PM
by Olde e
I'm a ticketed welDer and fabricator if u got any ?

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 11, 2017 2:41 PM
by George
MIG = Maybe its good?


Now that you have a welding table you need to upgrade to a TIG.

I bought this a few months back:
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I barely use the MIG anymore.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 12, 2017 4:40 PM
by bkbimmer
I have both, I rarely use my tig.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 12, 2017 5:01 PM
by George
bkbimmer wrote:I rarely use my tig.

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Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 12, 2017 8:59 PM
by bkbimmer
George wrote:
bkbimmer wrote:I rarely use my tig.

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I'm a hillbilly.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 16, 2017 11:08 PM
by tig
This weekend after making final tweaks to Maytag's suspension, instead of starting a new project (engine cradle or chassis dolly) or working on an existing important project (prepping components for the blue car) I decided to procrastinate and further perfect my welding table (and steel skillz):

Added two more receiver hitches for good measure.
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I decided I wanted to store stuff. So I used some 3" stock to make cross members. They are flush with the top. Yes, I know I still need to work on better penetration.
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Then I decided those lower 2x2 tubes were superfluous so I'm cutting them out. This will make the shelving more easily accessible. No pics of that yet, but I'm certainly learning the value of not over-welding on something that you may want to modify. And I'm getting quite proficient with my angle and die grinders...

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 17, 2017 3:35 AM
by bkbimmer
Nice work.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 17, 2017 6:02 AM
by muleskinner
cek wrote:Yes, I know I still need to work on better penetration.
Don't we all? Well, at least those of us getting to be of a certain age.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 17, 2017 9:48 PM
by tig
bkbimmer wrote:Nice work.
That makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 17, 2017 10:35 PM
by bkbimmer
Must be nice.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 11:53 AM
by tig
Got the re-do of the base done. I used a plethora of cutting tools to get those 2x2s cut out including my new electric angle grinder, my old air angle grinder, my die grinder, and my sawzall. I am now pretty well practiced in those tools as a result. I think I said this before but it's easy to over-weld things. I'm learning that just because you CAN put a weld somewhere doesn't meant you need to.

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I also expanded the holes the support bolts go through for the top planks from 1/2" to 5/8". I did the first one using a 5/8" drill bit and that was a BITCH. Even with a big drill with a side-handle, the torque just about killed me. Then I tried this little bugger on my die grinder... Easy as cake.

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This lets me move the top planks laterally a little bit so they are better aligned.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 2:09 PM
by EventuallyAyrton
That table is coming along quite well. MIG welding is not difficult to get good at but can take a little practice to master, your welds look pretty nice. Next step is TIG! It's way more fun than MIG, although I still find some sort of strange comfort in stick welding...

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 3:43 PM
by George
EventuallyAyrton wrote:That table is coming along quite well. MIG welding is not difficult to get good at but can take a little practice to master, your welds look pretty nice. Next step is TIG! It's way more fun than MIG, although I still find some sort of strange comfort in stick welding...
Ya know, I've been welding for almost 15 years now. About half of that time I did it as a profession and I still have no idea how to stick weld. Nor am I sure why stick welding would be preferable to TIG. Can you enlighten me?

CEK, I would highly recommend a rotating vice as a future additional to your welding table. It is really nice to be able to hold what you'd welding in the correct position for optimal weld.

I use a cheap home depot version:
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but there are much nicer versions available.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 5:17 PM
by tig
My vise rotates.

Having so much fun with this whole welding thing.

Moar.

I built a tool hanger bar. Used 2" 1/8" stock. Also installed a 2-outlet extension cord.

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Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 5:43 PM
by Karl Grau
cek wrote:My vise rotates.
I think he meant like this. :dunno:

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Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 5:47 PM
by tig
Karl Grau wrote:
cek wrote:My vise rotates.
I think he meant like this. :dunno:

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O.

Slick.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 5:49 PM
by tig
Karl Grau wrote:
cek wrote:My vise rotates.
I think he meant like this. :dunno:

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O.

Slick.

Note I can mount my vise at any 90°.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 5:51 PM
by Karl Grau

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 6:52 PM
by George
Yes, 2 directions of rotations.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 8:53 PM
by tig
George wrote:Yes, 2 directions of rotations.
Moar direction of rotation is always gooder.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 9:16 PM
by George
I guess 2 independent axes of rotation is a better description but you get the point. It's great for small automotive fabrication projects.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 9:58 PM
by bkbimmer
I'm technically a professional and your setup is soooo much better than mine.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 22, 2017 10:50 PM
by oldskool
bkbimmer wrote:I'm technically a professional and your setup is soooo much better than mine.
You should see his underwear drawer.

Re: I weld

Posted: Jan 23, 2017 1:00 PM
by EventuallyAyrton
George wrote: Ya know, I've been welding for almost 15 years now. About half of that time I did it as a profession and I still have no idea how to stick weld. Nor am I sure why stick welding would be preferable to TIG. Can you enlighten me?
Because it's fun to strike an arc and lay down an insane amount of material. It's frustrating when you start but once you get used to it, it's quite enjoyable. Ever tried to TIG weld a building together? No fun at all